Push button radiator pressure cap



April 23, 1963 A. w. KONCHAN 3,085,677

PUSH BUTTON RADIATOR PRESSURE CAP Filed Feb. 1s, 1961 2 sheets-sheet T`I N VEN TOR. if Va/Mia# @M .A TTOR NL S April 23, 1963 A. w. KONCHAN3,086,677

PUSH BUTTON RADIATOR PRESSURE CAP Filed Feb. 13, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Zhu() @y A TTf/ EYS United States Patent O 3,686,677 PUSH BUI'IGNRADIATOR PRESSURE CAP Anton W. Kenchan, 6592 W. Faireld Ave., Berwyn,fil. 'Filed Feb. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 88,824 1@ Claims. (Cl. 229-44) Thisinvention relates to a cooling system for a liquid cooled type ofengine. This invention more particularly concerns an apparatus forregulating the pressure in the cooling system and which apparatusincludes a new and improved radiator pressure cap.

The radiator pressure cap described herein constitutes a modification ofan earlier form of a radiator pressure cap, as shown in my Patent2,649,986. The radiator pressure cap illustrated in this earlier patentwas provided with Valve means adapted to vent the radiator to atmospherewhen the contents of the radiator became overheated. In other words, thevalve would open and the fluid would be allowed to pass from theradiator through the overflow tube to atmosphere.

According to the present invention, a new and improved radiator pressurecap has been developed which cap is provided with valve means forventing the radiator to atmosphere and which Valve means may be operatedby the manipulation of a self-sealing type push button on the top sideof the radiator cap. When a gasoline attendant wishes to check the waterin the radiator, it is now possible for him to depress the button inorder to vent the pressure within the radiator to atmosphere before heremoves the cap. By providing a radiator pressure cap of this type, thecap may be more safely operated than before where there was some chancethat the cap would blow off into the attendants yface when it was beingtaken off by him.

Another important feature of the present radiator pressure cap residesin the fact that the push button control not only functions -to pressurerelieve the radiator system but it also functions to seal itself inassembly with the radiator cap. By manufacturing the push button orflexible diaphragm from a self-sealing type of material, such as rubberand the like, there will be virtually no chance of the radiator pressurecap leaking during normal operation where the overheating valve isopened due to an overheating condition and hot fiuid is circulatedthrough the radiator pressure cap. The self-sealing push buttonprohibits the hot uid in the cap from flowing to atmosphere at the topof the cap.

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention toprovide an improved radiator pressure cap for a radiator having a bodyof volatile fluid disposed therein, the cap having a push buttonconnected to a vent valve making possible the release of excessivepressures and undesired vacuums within the radiator at the time when thecap is to be removed by the operator.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide aclosure gap for a container having a body of volatile fiuid containedtherein, the cap being provided with a pair of oppositely acting ventvalves making possible the release of both excessive pressures andundesired vacuums within the container, and a push button disposed onthe closure cap for manual operation and which push button is connectedto one of said valves making possible the release of excessive pressuresand undesired vacuums before the cap is removed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a radiatorpressure cap having signal means for the operator that `a pressurecondition exists in the radiator sysso that injury will not be caused tothe operator by his removing the cap from the radiator until thispressure has been eliminated.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide self-sealingmanually operable means which may be ac- Patented Apr'. 23, 1963 icetuated by the exertion of finger pressure by the operator against themeans to cause the excessive pressure in the radiator -to be dischargedto atmosphere.

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a vehicle engine and its liquid coolingsystem;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken substantiallyon the line II-II looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, asseen in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view takensubstantially on the line III- III looking in the Vdirection indicatedby the arrows, as seen in FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view takensubstantially on the line IV-IV looking in the direction indicated bythe arrows, as seen in FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a Vertical section similar to FIGURE 2 only illustrating howvthe self-sealing diaphragm may be manually operated to open the valveto pressure relieve the radiator system;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional View similar toFIGURE 5 only showing the automatic operation of the Valve when `anexcessive pressure condition exists within the cooling system;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially onthe line VII-VII looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, asseen in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 8 is an exploded view of the components of my radiator pressurecap.

As shown on the drawings:

At the outset, it will be understood that while the present inventionhas been described as being associated with the engine of an automobilethat the apparatus embodying my invention may be associated with otherengines or systems, if desired.

IIn FIGURE 2, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a container, suchas a radiator for internal combustion engines having a filling aperture11 surrounded by an upwardly extending, generally cylindrical fillerneck 12 secured to the container 10 and which has a neck opening forregistry with the aperture 11. The filler neck 12 is provided with adepending, concentric outer camming surface 13 for receiving a radiatorpressure cap or closure cap 14 of the present invention, as is wellknown in the art.

In FIGURE 1 an engine is identified at 2. The engine 2 is adapted torotate a fan 3. 'Ihe radiator 1i) is mounted on the engine. The engine 2includes an upper header or tank 4 as Well as a lower header or rtank5'. A connecting structure 6' joins the tanks 4 and 5. The connectingstructure is comprised Iof a plurality of liquid passages communicatingthe tanks 4 and 5 together as well as a series of air passagestherethrough. Mounted on the radiator 1t? is a radiator pressure cap ora closure cap 14, which embodies a number of the features of .thepresent invention. The headers 4 and 5 are joined with the engine 2 bymeans of suitable tubular conduits 7' and S. A water pump 9 is providedand the pump is adapted to be driven by the engine so that liquidcoolant is forced to circulate through the engine 2' into the conduit'7' and downwardly through the radiator 10 whereupon the fluid isreturned by means of the conduit 8 to the engine.

lI'he closure member 14 of the present invention comprises a generallycylindrical cap 15 provided with a depending, annular marginal flange 16having opposing inwardly deformable securing tabs 17 for contacting thecamming surface 21.

A generally cylindrical body housing 18 is adapted to be mounted todepend from the cap 15, the housing 18 having a lower inwardly directedperipheral rim 19 and a radially outwardly extending peripheral rim 20termimating-in a depending annular ilange edge 21. A spring diaphragmZ2-having a central downwardly dished portion 23 and radially outwardlyextending deflectable arms 24 is adapted to be interposed between thecap 15 and the body housing'l, alternatedeectable arms 24 contacting thecaprand 'the body-housing, respectively. The body housing is securedlwithin the cap 15 in nested, concentric, radially spaced vrelation Vbythe radially inward deformation of the tabs 17 of theicapY to Vunderliethe mnular ange 21 of the'springjhousing.

- A pressure valve 26, in the formk of a cupped member having: an upper,outer, radially directed peripheral rim 27; a'nupper cup portion 28',and intermediate, radially directed seating ilange 29; ai lowercylindrical cupped portion- 30; a lower radially extending portion'31;and'a central upstanding embossment or turned annular-flange 32,V isprovided to be telescoped withinl the body housing 18. The upperperipheral rim- 27 of the valve-26 is adapted to be-seated on theinwardlyl directed rim'119 of the spring housing 18 with the remainderof the cupped valve 26 depending from the spring housing. The centrallower -embossment 32 lof the valve 26 Vis provided with agcentral;aperturev 33 andl a surrounding upwardly dished frustoconical face 34.Underlying the portion 31 is a metal Valve closure 43 vand which has anyupwardly dished directed valve sealing face lor seat 43C disposed abouta central aperture 43d. A correspondinglyshaped split end valve head 35of a vacuum valve 36 is urged against the seat 43e by means of a spring37 acting against the lower radial portion'31 of the valve .26.

lA spring cap 39 is also provided to be telescoped within the springhousing 18 in spaced relation tothe valve 26, the spring cap having adepending Amarginal annular ange or annular Vertical edge 40 concentricwith and surrounding adownwardly dished center portion 41. The edge 40is secured in assembly with the housing 18 by means of three aunularlyarranged struck out housing flanges 40a.

A pressure valve compression spring-42-'is adapted to be confinedbetween the spring-cap 39, and the pressure valve 26, the valve spring42 surrounding the dished portion 41 of the spring capand being seatedupon the inner radially extending portion 31 of the pressure valve 26. Apressure valve gasket 43a is provided to abut the underside radiallyextending vportion 31V of `the pressure valve 26 and to abut the topvside of the metal valve closure 43. The gasket 43a coacts with the splitend 35 and the valve seat 43e to form the vacuum valve 36.

The operation of the closure member 14 will be appreciated from theforegoing disclosure and the illustrations of vFIGURES 2 and 6 inv whichit will be seen that the inwardly directed tabs 17 ofthe cap 15Y areadapted to engage thecamming surface 13 of the neckV `12. to secure theclosure member thereto upon relative rotation of the closure member.

'Ihe pressure valve 26 urges the gasket ange edge 21 into sealingrelation with the neck 12 to overlie the filling aperture 11 of thecontainer 10. The edge 21 is urged into eective sealing relation bymeans of the compression spring 42 and the edge 21 is likewiseresiliently urged into sealing relation with the neck by means of thespring diaphragm 37 acting against the body housing 18.

It will be seen that upon the development of excessive pressure withinthe container 10, as upon the volatilization of coolant upon overheatingwithin a radiator, these pressures will urge the valve 26 and the gasket43a from sealing contact with radiator neck 12 at the area of theaperture 11 against the action of the compression spring 42 to admitfluid or vapor into the spring housing 18. Egress for fluid or vaporfrom the interior of the spring housing 18 is provided by means of aradial aperture 44 formed in` one cylindrical side wall of the springhousing and communicating with an apertured vent nipple 45 formed `intheneck 12 and communicating with a vent conduit or overliow tube46.Actually the concenric body housing 1S and the neck 12 cooperate todeiine an annular chamber 47 rlying therebetween and communicating withthe interior of the housing 18 and the vent aperture 45, obviating thenecessity of radially aligning the apertures 44 and 45 as shown in FGURE2. It will be seen that the valve 26 is of appreciable sizel and permitsalso the overow of coolant liquid if necessary, as upon boiling andactual eruption of liquid from the radiator.

Upon the generation of a partial vacuum within the container 1G, thevacuum Valve-36-opens against its compression spring 37 to ventatmospheric pressures tothe interior of the container 10 through thevent conduit 46, the nipple 45, and the spring housing aperture 44.

In accordance with certain of the more important features of the presentinvention, a resiliently detiectable diaphragmtl isrnounted on the-cap15. The diaphragm may be made of any suitable-material such yas asynthetic plastic or rubber material or a natural rubbermaterial. Thediaphragm 50` has -a bulb-shaped depreSsible-portion 50a. The diaphragmfurther has axially spaced annular flanges Sti/b and Stic which areconcentrically disposed.

relative to the bulb-shaped portion 56a. As will be seen in FIGURE 8,for example, the cap 15 has a central annular tlange 15a deiiningV acentral opening. The diaphragm anges Sb and 50c are adapted to bedisposed on axially opposite sides'of the annular flange 15a to providea closure for the openingV defined by the cap ilange 15a.

A vacuum valve actuator or push rod 51 has been provided. This actuator51 has'an enlarged head 52, which is configurated so as to be slightlysmaller than the configuration of the bulb-shaped portion Stia of thediaphragm 50. Secured with the actuatorl 5l is a compression spring 52which is'coiled about a stem' portion 53 of the actuator. A rubber orplastic gasket 54 is providedA and which isk adaptedA for dispositionabout the lower end of the stem 53 and the spring 52 is adapted to bearagainst the gasket 54.

The-leaf spring 22 and the spring cap- 39 have a spring opening 22aV anda cap opening 39a. of sufficient size so that the stem 53 of theactuator may pass readily therethrough. When' the componentsof the cap14 are in assembly with one another the bulb-shaped head 52 of theactuator 51 is adapted to be disposed within the cavity dened by thebulb-shaped portion. The stem 53 is adapted to extend through the leafspring opening 22a, through thel cap opening 39a generally axiallyof thespring 42 with its lower end being disposed in slightly spaced axialrelation with respect to an enlarged head 36a of the valve 36. Theaction of the spring 52 is such that it tends toy hold the bulb-shapedportion 52 within the cavity defined by the diaphragm 50 so that thelower end of the stern 53 is'axially spaced from the head portion 36a ofthe valve member 36.

When the valve 26 is actuated so that the gasket 43a is elevated 01T ofthe neck 12, as shown in FIGURE 6, the valve member 36 contacts thelower end of the stern 53 and forces it vertically upwardly so thattheenlarged head portion of the actuator 51 is urged against thebulbshaped portion 50a of the diaphragm which causes the portion 56a toflex axially away from the cap 15. When an operator is called upon tocheck the condition of the radiator, hewill bereadily able to seethat'the radiator is under high pressure and .that the radiator closurecap 14 should not be opened until such condition is alleviated.

The excess pressure within the radiator system may be relieved by theoperator by applying his finger f against the bulb-shaped portion 50a,as shown in FIGURE 5. This action causes the actuator 51 to be actuatedagainst the valve member 36 to cause the vacuum valve closure 43 to openso that the pressure within the radiator may be equalized with theatmospheric pressure externally of the radiator. When the operatorreleases his tinger the spring 52' will automatically return theactuator 51 to its normal position as shown in FIGURE 2.

These openings are f It `wil1 thus be seen that I have provided animproved form of closure for a receptacle or container, such as aninternal combustion engine radiator containing a body of volatilecoolant, such as water or water containing alcohol or other freezingpoint depressants. The closure provides means for venting both excessivepressures and vacuums developed within the receptacle to the atmosphereto maintain the pressure within the receptacle within rather narrowlydefined limits. 'Ihe structure is simple and economical in manufactureand assembly `and the venting pressures may be varied through a widerange during assembly of the closure to accommodate various types ofreceptacles at varying desired pressures within the receptacle.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a closure cap for attachment to the lling neck of an internalcombustion engine radiator, means for venting excessive pressuresdeveloped in said radiator through a vent provided in said neck,comprising a generally cylindrical body housing sealingly engaging saidneck, a pressure valve carried by said housing for telescoping movementrelative thereto into and out of sealing engagement with said radiator,a spring cap secured integral within said housing in adjusted spacedrelation to said Valve, a spring acting between said cap and said valveurging said valve into engagement with said radiator, said valve beingactuated against said spring by excessive pressures developed Withinsaid radiator to vent the same through said neck vent, a spring urgedvacuum valve carried by said pressure valve for venting the interior ofsaid radiator to atmospheric pressure through said neck vent upon thedevelopment of sub-atmospheric pressures in said radiator, a closuremember for detachable assembly on a neck of a radiator and having acentral opening, a resiliently dellectable diaphragm coaxially alignedwith said central opening on said closure mem ber and having diaphragmflanges engaged on axially opposite sides of said closure member insealed assembly therewith, and actuator means including a push rodoperatively disposed between the diaphragm and said vacuum valve withthe diaphragm being manually depressible against said push rod andacting through said actuator means to open said vacuum valve and vent aradiator to atmosphere.

2. In a closure cap for attachment to the filling neck of an internalcombustion engine radiator, means for venting excessive pressuresdeveloped in said radiator through a vent provided in said neck,comprising a generally cylindrical body housing sealingly engaging saidneck, a pressure valve carried by said housing for telescoping movementrelative thereto into and out of sealing engagement with said radiator,a spring cap secured integral within said housing in adjusted spacedrelation to said valve, a spring acting between said cap 'and said valveurging said valve into engagement with said radiator, said valve beingactuated against said spring by excessive pressures developed withinsaid radiator to vent the same through said neck vent, a spring urgedvacuum valve carried by said pressure valve for venting the interior ofsaid radiator to atmospheric pressure through said neck vent upon thedevelopment of sub-atmospheric pressures in said radiator, a closuremember for detachable assembly on a neck of a radiator and having acentral opening, a resiliently deliectable diaphragm coaxially alignedwith said central opening on said closure member and having diaphragmflanges engaged on axially opposite sides of said closure member insealed assembly therewith, and actuator means including a push rodoperatively disposed between the diaphragm and said vacuum valve withthe diaphragm being manually depressible against said push rod andacting through said actuator means to open said vacuum valve and ventradiator to atmosphere, said resiliently deect-able diaphragm beingcomprised of a synthetic material `and being in self-sealing assemblywith the closure member to prohibit uid and pressure leaks, saiddiaphragm having a depressible bulb portion of uniform thicknessdisposed centrally of said diaphragm anges and with said push rodengageable therewith.

3. In a closure cap for attachment to the filling neck of an internalcombustion engine radiator, means for venting excessive pressuresdeveloped in said radiator through a vent provided in said neck,comprising a generally cylindrical body housing sealingly engaging saidneck, a pressure valve carried by said housing for telescoping movementrelative thereto into and out of sealing engagement with said radiator,a spring cap secured integral within said housing in adjusted spacedrelation to said valve, a spring acting between said cap and said valveurging said valve into engagement With said radiator, said valve beingactuated against said spring by excessive pressures developed withinsaid radiator to vent the same through said neck vent, a spring urgedvacuum valve carried by said pressure valve for venting the interior ofsaid radiator to atmospheric pressure through said neck vent upon thedevelopment of sub-atmospheric pressures in said radiator, a closuremember for detachable assembly on a neck of a radiator and having `acentral opening, a resiliently deiiectable diaphragm coaxially alignedwith said central opening on said closure member and having diaphragmflanges engaged on axially opposite sides of said closure member insealed assembly therewith, and actuator means including a push rodoperatively disposed between the diaphragm and said vacuum valve withthe diaphragm being manually depressible against said push rod andacting through said actuator means to open said vacuum valve and vent aradiator to atmosphere, said means including a spring urged actuatorwith one end being engageable by said diaphragm and with an opposite endextended through said spring cap and for engagement with said vacuumvalve.

4. In a closure cap for attachment to the lling neck of an internalcombustion engine radiator, means for venting excessive pressuresdeveloped in said radiator through a vent provided in said neck,comprising a generally cylindrical body housing sealingly engaging saidneck, a spring cap secured integral Within said housing between itsopposite ends, a spring urged vacuum valve carried by said cylindricalbody housing for venting the interior of said radiator to atmosphericpressure through said neck vent upon the development of sub-atmosphericpressures in said radiator, a closure member for detachable assembly ona neck of a radiator and having a central opening, a resilientlydeilectable diaphragm coaxially aligned with said central opening onsaid closure member and having diaphragm flanges engaged on axiallyyopposite sides of said closure member in sealed assembly therewith, andactuator means including a push rod operatively disposed between thediaphragm and said vacuum valve with the diaphragm being manuallydepressible against said push rod and acting through said actuator meansto open said vacuum valve and vent a radiator to atmosphere, saidresiliently deflectable diaphragm being comprised of a syntheticmaterial and being in self-sealing assembly with the closure member toprohibit iluid and pressure leaks.

5. In a closure cap for attachment to the filling neck of an internalcombustion engine radiator, means for venting excessive pressuresdeveloped in said radiator through a vent provided in said neck,comprising a generally cylindrical body housing sealingly engaging saidneck, a spring cap secured integral within said housing between itsopposite ends, a spring urged vacuum valve carried by said cylindricalbody housing for venting the interior of said radiator to atmosphericpressure through said neck vent upon development of sub-atmosphericpressures in said radiator, a closure member for detachable assembly ona neck of a radiator and having a censhader? tral opening, a resilientlydeectable diaphragm coaxally aligned with said central opening on saidclosure member and having diaphragm ilanges engaged on axially oppositesides of said closure member in sealed assembly therewith, and actuatormeans including a push rod operatively disposed between the diaphragmand ysaid vacuum valve with the diaphragm being manually depressibleagainst said push rod and acting lthrough said actuator means to opensaid vacuum valve and vent a radiator to atmosphere, said resilientlydeflectable diaphragm being comprised of a synthetic material and beingin self-sealing assembly with the closure member to prohibit iiuid andpressure leaks, and actuator means operatively disposed between thediaphragm and said vacuum valve with the diaphragm being manuallydepressible and acting through said actuator means to open said vacuumValve and vent a radiator to atmosphere, said actuator means including aspring urged actuator with one end being engageable by said diaphragmand with `an opposite end extended through said spring cap and forengagement with said vacuum valve.

6. In a closure cap structure for attachment to a tubular iilling neckhaving an overow exhaust and a neck opening for an internal combustionengine radiator, a generally cylindrical cap having an annular flangedening a central cap opening 'and a flexible diaphragm having pressureseal means on its margin gripping said annular ange and sealing the capopening, said Vcap being provided with an axially depending annularmarginal flange at its outer margin with an axially inner end of themarginal flange carrying securing tabs vfor retaining engagement with afiller neck, a generally cylindrical tubular dished body housing havingan outer margin at an upper end in axially lapped relation to saidsecuring tabs securing the cap and the housing in assembly and with saidhousing having a radially inturned lower end, a spring between said capand said outer margin of said body housing urging said outer margintowards said tabs, a tubular spring cap secured in said dished bodyhousing, a cupped tubular member having a perpiheral rim carried on saidradially inturned lower end of said body housing and having a radiallydirected seating ange disposed about a seating flange opening, a ringgasket carried on the underside of said seating flange for closing aneck opening in a lling neck, a valve closure underlying said gasket andmovable into and out of engagement therewith, a vacuum valve having astem secured at one end with said valve closure and movable in saidseating ange opening, ya spring mounted on said seating ange andextending upwardly in engagement with said valve drawing said valvevclosure against said gasket, a spring between said spring cap and saidseating flange for holding said gasket in engagement with a ller neckover its neck opening, and a push rod having one end operativelyengageable by said flexible diaphragm and an opposite end operativelyengageable with said vacuum valve for disengaging said valve closureabout said seating ange opening to permit excess pressure to bedischarged through an aperture in said cupped tubular member and throughan overflow tube.

7. The cap structure of claim 6 further characterized by a spring beingbiased against said push rod urging the push rod toward said iiexiblediaphragm.

' 8. The structure of claim 6 further characterized by said springbetween said cap and said outer margin of said body margin having aseries of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly extending armswith some of said arms being engaged against said cap and other of saidarms being engageable against the outer margin of said body margin.

9. The structure of claim 6 further characterized by said tubular springcap being secured underneath housing anges provided on said dished bodyhousing.

10. The structure of claim 6 further characterized by said flexiblediaphragm having a bulb-shaped depressible portion engageable with saidpush rod and having axially spaced radially extending annular Iiangesdisposed on axially opposite sides of said annular ange and grippingsaid annular iiange and sealing the cap opening.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

6. IN A CLOSURE CAP STRUCTURE FOR ATTACHMENT TO A TUBULAR FILLING NECKHAVING AN OVERFLOW EXHAUST AND A NECK OPENING FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTIONENGINE RADIATOR, A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL CAP HAVING AN ANNULAR FLANGEDEFINING A CENTRAL CAP OPENING AND A FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM HAVING PRESSURESEAL MEANS ON ITS MARGIN GRIPPING SAID ANNULAR FLANGE AND SEALING THECAP OPENING, SAID CAP BEING PROVIDED WITH AN AXIALLY DEPENDING ANNULARMARGINAL FLANGE AT ITS OUTER MARGIN WITH AN AXIALLY INNER END OF THEMARGINAL FLANGE CARRYING SECURING TABS FOR RETAINING ENGAGEMENT WITH AFILLER NECK, A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL TUBULAR DISHED BODY HOUSING HAVINGAN OUTER MARGIN AT AN UPPER END IN AXIALLY LAPPED RELATION TO SAIDSECURING TABS SECURING THE CAP AND THE HOUSING IN ASSEMBLY AND WITH SAIDHOUSING HAVING A RADIALLY INTURNED LOWER END, A SPRING BETWEEN SAID CAPAND SAID OUTER MARGIN OF SAID BODY HOUSING URGING SAID OUTER MARGINTOWARDS SAID TABS, A TUBULAR SPRING CAP SECURED IN SAID DISHED BODYHOUSING, A CUPPED TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING A PERPIHERAL RIM CARRIED ON SAIDRADIALLY INTURNED LOWER END OF SAID BODY HOUSING AND HAVING A RADIALLYDIRECTED SEATING FLANGE DISPOSED ABOUT A SEATING FLANGE OPENING, A RINGGASKET CARRIED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID SEATING FLANGE FOR CLOSING ANECK OPENING IN A FILLING NECK, A VALVE CLOSURE UNDERLYING SAID GASKETAND MOVABLE INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, A VACUUM VALVE HAVINGA STEM SECURED AT ONE END WITH SAID VALVE CLOSURE AND MOVABLE IN SAIDSEATING FLANGE OPENING, A SPRING MOUNTED ON SAID SEATING FLANGE ANDEXTENDING UPWARDLY IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID VALVE DRAWING SAID VALVECLOSURE AGAINST SAID GASKET, A SPRING BETWEEN SAID SPRING CAP AND SAIDSEATING FLANGE FOR HOLDING SAID GASKET IN ENGAGEMENT WITH A FILLER NECKOVER ITS NECK OPENING, AND A PUSH ROD HAVING ONE END OPERATIVELYENGAGEABLE BY SAID FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM AND AN OPPOSITE END OPERATIVELYENGAGEABLE WITH SAID VACUUM VALVE FOR DISENGAGING SAID VALVE CLOSUREABOUT SAID SEATING FLANGE OPENING TO PERMIT EXCESS PRESSURE TO BEDISCHARGED THROUGH AN APERTURE IN SAID CUPPED TUBULAR MEMBER AND THROUGHAN OVERFLOW TUBE.